Composition of Cumulative Debt of 2011-12 Graduate Degree Recipients

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Among the 11% of graduate degree recipients with $120,000 or more in student loan debt, 80% of all education debt was associated with graduate study. Almost 60% of the debt of graduate students with less than $40,000 in total debt came from graduate study.

Notes & Sources

NOTES: Includes all loans ever borrowed for both graduate and undergraduate education for 2011-12 and prior years. Based on recipients of all master’s and doctoral degrees in 2011-12. Includes students who were U.S. citizens or permanent residents and excludes postbaccalaureate and postmaster’s certificate recipients.

Among the 11% of graduate degree recipients with $120,000 or more in student loan debt, 80% of all education debt was associated with graduate study. Almost 60% of the debt of graduate students with less than $40,000 in total debt came from graduate study.